Prospect Info: Dawson Mercer (#18 pick - 2020 draft)

[Blackjack]

The thing that stands out to me is his (perhaps) excissive use of the spin-o-rama. It's like he discovered a move in a video game that almost always works and uses it constantly

It's kind of a weird spin-o-rama too. Instead of taking the puck with him he tips it in one direction and then spins in the other direction to pick it up. It's a nifty move but it did look like he uses it too much.

I remember when I was younger and played soccer, I used to do too many stepover passes. It's a good option when the space tight, but I think once I got good at it, it became kind of a crutch and I would go to it out of habit.

 

[glenwo2]

I wonder where Mercer would be drafted in a normal draft year that wasn’t so deep on wingers.

Bet you he would be in the Top 10.

 

[glenwo2]

To me, it's not so much the hands as it is the awareness. Yes he has good hands, but he seems to really possess that Bratt like quality where he makes defenders their own worst enemies. He always knows how they are leaning and quickly shifts the other way. He uses baits and fakes to get defenders to move certain ways that either open up passing or skating lanes. Lots of guys can dangle, lots of guys are good skaters. Few put those things together to maximize thier offensive potential. That's what I see in him. Not the best hands ever, not the best skater ever, but good at both and elite at using those tools to his advantage. Datsyuk was the best I've ever seen at this. Dats combine elite edgework with elite hands and an elite mind. Mercer reminds me of a poor man's Datsyuk.

There were quite a few here (me included) that thought the same of Bratt until we tempered those expectations quite a bit.

I just want Dawson to a be a rich man's Dawson.

 

[Blackjack]

There were quite a few here (me included) that thought the same of Bratt until we tempered those expectations quite a bit.

I just want Dawson to a be a rich man's Dawson.

Oh I still feel that way. No guarantee he gets there, but I think he has that potential. Obviously I'd never say that out loud on the main boards.

 

[glenwo2]

Oh I still feel that way. No guarantee he gets there, but I think he has that potential. Obviously I'd never say that out loud on the main boards.

Especially with Red Wing fans watching and listening in....

 

[My3Sons]

He's like a hybrid between Coleman and Bratt.

Also, we should hire this guy.

I forced myself to watch all of that video. I'm glad I did. Wow, I know it is a highlight reel, but wow. Did I mention wow? What a skill set. He's like I imagine Nico was as a prospect. He is so shifty and smart, and has good hands and vision. Like Nico, he's one of those guys that you could see being successful at any position from defense, center and wing. I hope that video shows the real thing. I can't believe a prospect with this many tools and measurables and intangibles was available at 18. I agree with those who suggest he should really focus on trying to add a half step of top speed. Beyond that maybe a bigger shot as a priority but he looks like a future NHLer based on viewing this. I know at some point the young players in NJ will start to hit and make a difference. I cannot wait.

 

[Oneiro]

Wasn't gonna watch the video but now that @My3Sons said that and he's been described as hybrid Bratt-Coleman, goddammit you guys got me.

 

[My3Sons]

Wasn't gonna watch the video but now that @My3Sons said that and he's been described as hybrid Bratt-Coleman, goddammit you guys got me.

He's got Bratt's shiftiness and Coleman'esque compete but he seems much less combative than Coleman (probably because the other team is trying to stop him more than he is trying to stop the other team). One thing that stood out to me was his face-off improvement. He was meh for two years and even the start of this season. Then he was suspended a few games and must have started working on it with some seriousness. He improved to 55% in a decent sample size after that.

If his shot improves a bit, I'd play him with Nico when he arrives and shows he's ready. He has that same smart heady up tempo game. Let them play with Bratt and it's easy to see them being successful.

 

[Guadana]

He's got Bratt's shiftiness and Coleman'esque compete but he seems much less combative than Coleman (probably because the other team is trying to stop him more than he is trying to stop the other team). One thing that stood out to me was his face-off improvement. He was meh for two years and even the start of this season. Then he was suspended a few games and must have started working on it with some seriousness. He improved to 55% in a decent sample size after that.

If his shot improves a bit, I'd play him with Nico when he arrives and shows he's ready. He has that same smart heady up tempo game. Let them play with Bratt and it's easy to see them being successful.

I might disagree with you here. In the sense that I think Holtz will play with Hischier, and Mercer with Hughes.
Hughes and Lapierre are quite similar - gifted playmakers, skating, passing, speed, putting the puck into the zone. Mercer makes all of dirty work with Lapierre now, goes to the net, fight in challanges. I think he makes up for Hughes well. At the same time, Hischier will be able to play on rebounds from Holtz's shots, fight for the puck at the boards and give a pass right to the Holtz shot.
This is the impression left by Holtz and Mercer on the first games of this season.

 

[My3Sons]

I might disagree with you here. In the sense that I think Holtz will play with Hischier, and Mercer with Hughes.
Hughes and Lapierre are quite similar - gifted playmakers, skating, passing, speed, putting the puck into the zone. Mercer makes all of dirty work with Lapierre now, goes to the net, fight in challanges. I think he makes up for Hughes well. At the same time, Hischier will be able to play on rebounds from Holtz's shots, fight for the puck at the boards and give a pass right to the Holtz shot.
This is the impression left by Holtz and Mercer on the first games of this season.

You make a good point. I guess they have a couple of years to figure out the fit.

 

[Guadana]

You make a good point. I guess they have a couple of years to figure out the fit.

It's great that we have such good and different options. (and Tyce Thompson is a wild card here)

 

[blink]

Another point that isn't talked about much with Mercer is that he can also handle the center position. Depending on who the wingers are that work the best with Jack and Nico, it's always possible that Mercer gets slotted in as our #3 center down the line. I view him as a top 6 winger but again, it's possible he can be a #3C.

One guy who isn't talked about much around here as a possible Hughes winger is Graeme Clarke. Clarke has had some injury problems but we drafted Clarke for a reason, he was Jack's winger back with the Toronto Marlboros and those two put up some significant points together. IF Clarke can make it to the NHL, there is a good bet he gets a look on the wing with Jack.

 

[Blackjack]

Another point that isn't talked about much with Mercer is that he can also handle the center position. Depending on who the wingers are that work the best with Jack and Nico, it's always possible that Mercer gets slotted in as our #3 center down the line. I view him as a top 6 winger but again, it's possible he can be a #3C.

One guy who isn't talked about much around here as a possible Hughes winger is Graeme Clarke. Clarke has had some injury problems but we drafted Clarke for a reason, he was Jack's winger back with the Toronto Marlboros and those two put up some significant points together. IF Clarke can make it to the NHL, there is a good bet he gets a look on the wing with Jack.

I guess I don't understand the optimism around Clarke. A ppg player D+1 on the Ottawa 67s doesn't seem that promising. I understand he was injured, but pretty underwhelming production before last year too.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I guess I don't understand the optimism around Clarke. A ppg player D+1 on the Ottawa 67s doesn't seem that promising. I understand he was injured, but pretty underwhelming production before last year too.

He looked fantastic for an 18 year old at camp. He is also on the WJC radar. Only started working out following the draft and apparently made tremendous gains quickly. Among the things to improve was his skating, depending on the work he put in during covid, you may see a huge difference out of the gate. Has plus plus hands and shot.

 

[Blackjack]

He looked fantastic for an 18 year old at camp. He is also on the WJC radar. Only started working out following the draft and apparently made tremendous gains quickly. Among the things to improve was his skating, depending on the work he put in during covid, you may see a huge difference out of the gate. Has plus plus hands and shot.

How so? It doesn't seem like he's even played that much hockey in the last 18 months. Don't get me wrong, I think there could be something there, but I see so many people that think he's going to be a top six winger it just surprises me. When has he ever shown that?

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

How so? It doesn't seem like he's even played that much hockey in the last 18 months. Don't get me wrong, I think there could be something there, but I see so many people that think he's going to be a top six winger it just surprises me. When has he ever shown that?

Once again, I believe it has to do with his time in NJ but that has fooled us in the past with Blake Spears.

 

[Blackjack]

Once again, I believe it has to do with his time in NJ but that has fooled us in the past with Blake Spears.

Okay, got it. That makes some sense. I was watching other guys more closely in the preseason last year.

 

[Nubmer6]

How so? It doesn't seem like he's even played that much hockey in the last 18 months. Don't get me wrong, I think there could be something there, but I see so many people that think he's going to be a top six winger it just surprises me. When has he ever shown that?

Well, the other thing with him is it looks like he's either top 6 or bust. I don't think his skills allow him to play in the NHL if he's not scoring.

 

[Devils731]

I guess I don't understand the optimism around Clarke. A ppg player D+1 on the Ottawa 67s doesn't seem that promising. I understand he was injured, but pretty underwhelming production before last year too.

I don’t think it’s the points per game, it’s the goals per game. If he had played a 65 game season at his pace from the small amount of games he would have scored 35 goals.

Not a giant total but reports and seeing his shot suggest he may be able to beat an NHL goalie so is translatable.

I don’t think he’s a great NHL prospect but he may fill a niche the Devils are lacking, guy who can beat a goalie with their shot.

 

[Blackjack]

I don’t think it’s the points per game, it’s the goals per game. If he had played a 65 game season at his pace from the small amount of games he would have scored 35 goals.

Not a giant total but reports and seeing his shot suggest he may be able to beat an NHL goalie so is translatable.

I don’t think he’s a great NHL prospect but he may fill a niche the Devils are lacking, guy who can beat a goalie with their shot.

You guys are trying to make me scream, aren't you?

 

[Nubmer6]

You guys are trying to make me scream, aren't you?

Don't we always?

 

[blink]

I guess I don't understand the optimism around Clarke. A ppg player D+1 on the Ottawa 67s doesn't seem that promising. I understand he was injured, but pretty underwhelming production before last year too.

Don't forget, the 67's were also absolutely loaded. I'd expect a huge year from Clarke this year if and when the OHL gets going. 9-8-7 in 16 games is a small sample size. In junior guys can get on tears at any time. Say for example, Clarke went 6-4-10 in his next 4 games. His stat line would be 15-12-27 in 20 games, looks much better.

Clarke has the NHL shot, like as has been mentioned here, it's his skating which will determine whether he becomes anything. Make no mistake, this year is a huge year for him.

 

[Darkauron]

Also it is probably a good idea to go talk about Clarke..in another thread at this point. It isnt about mercer anymore

 

[blink]

I don't expect Mercer to be a huge scorer in the NHL but I think he can be a 20-25 goal, 50-55 point player in his prime with a great two-way game. Just like everything I've seen and read about him, he is a player who is way more valuable to the roster than what his stats might suggest and guys like him are an integral part to winning teams.

Really excited to have him!

 

[glenwo2]

I don't expect Mercer to be a huge scorer in the NHL but I think he can be a 20-25 goal, 50-55 point player in his prime with a great two-way game. Just like everything I've seen and read about him, he is a player who is way more valuable to the roster than what his stats might suggest and guys like him are an integral part to winning teams.

Really excited to have him!

That's reasonable to expect.